North Dakota weed control officials are set to convene for the Agriculture Commissioner’s Noxious Weed Forum and a review of the state noxious weed list. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center, located at 800 S. 3rd St., Bismarck, ND.
The forum will commence with Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine delivering a welcome address and presenting the Commissioner’s Partner Award from 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. Following this, Samantha McGrath from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will provide an update on noxious weeds from 9:45 to 10 a.m.
From 10 to 11 a.m., Carol Randall, Emeritus from the US Forest Service, will reflect on her career in review. Zack Bateson of the National Agricultural Genotyping Center will discuss “Tracking Genetic Patterns of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds Across North Dakota: Insights from Volunteer-Based Collections” between 11 and 11:30 a.m.
An update on the Emerald Ash Borer will be presented by Samantha Brunner of NDDA from 11:30 a.m. to noon, followed by lunch until 1 p.m.
The afternoon session begins with Dr. Xin (Rex) Sun and Billy Ram from North Dakota State University providing an update on the Unmanned Aerial Systems Palmer Project from 1 to 1:55 p.m. Michael Kangas of the North Dakota Forest Service will then speak about “Weed Control and Trees” between 1:55 and 2:40 p.m.
John Mortenson of NDDA will present a Biocontrol Control Update from 2:40 to 2:50 p.m., followed by NDDA’s presentation on reviewing the state noxious weed list under N.D.C.C. §4.1-47-05 from 2:50 to 3 p.m.
